Highland Burn

by Victoria Zak

  Rolling to her side, Abigale clutched her ribs and winced as pain stung her body. When she lifted her auburn head, now full of dry, dead leaves, she saw Fergus lying a few feet away snorting and groaning. “Nay… Nay…” Abigale stumbled to her feet and slowly walked toward her friend.

  As she got closer to him she noticed that an unforgiving unearthed root had wrapped around Fergus’s hind leg. He tried to move but he couldn’t; his leg was stuck. Abigale fell to her knees next to his head and sobbed uncontrollably. Fergus nickered low and deep as she picked his head up and laid it on her lap. “Nay, Fergus. Ye have to get up,” she begged with tears trickling down her cheeks. “Ye have to get up."

  ~~~~~

  James ran through the great hall like a bat straight out of hell, bursting through the double wooden doors toward the stables. Hopping up on his mount, he kicked his mare into a full gallop and took off toward the glen. The need to find Abigale and make her understand he wasn’t a beast, drove him with commanding force. Damn him for a fool! Why hadn’t he just walked away like he had planned to do? Why had he allowed rage to overcome him? Why had he lost control?

  “Marcus,” he growled. “He’s a dead man."

  James rode his black mare with God speed following Abigale’s trail through the woods. A blue piece of material clung to a branch. James stopped briefly and took the fabric in his hands. Abigale. He was right on her trail.

  When he finally reached her, the sight before him shattered his heart into a million pieces. Abigale sat next to Fergus, sobbing. He jumped off his horse and proceeded with caution. He desperately wanted to go to her, wrap her in his arms and take away the sorrow he’d caused her. She was frightened and she looked as though she was hurt.

  James moved closer to Abigale, yet still keeping some distance between them. “Lass, we need to talk.”

  Abigale snapped her head up and froze, her body tensed. He’d found her. Slowly she released her dirk from her thigh and stood. With the dagger in her shaking hand, she pressed it to her slender neck. “Stay away or I’ll cut my throat,” she demanded.

  James put his hands up in surrender. “Abigale, I will no hurt ye. Please put the dirk down,” he pleaded and stepped closer. Was she that frightened of him that she was willing to cut her own throat?

  Taking a steady step backwards, she pressed the cold metal into her neck until blood was trickling down her skin. She’d meant what she said.

  “God’s wounds lass! Put the dirk down and let me explain.” James began to panic; she was serious. His bel ange was beyond afraid; one wrong move and he would be to blame for his wife’s death. He’d better tread softly.

  “Go on then… explain yerself.”

  Her eyes were wide, never leaving their focus on him. He saw her pulse jumping in her neck and her chest rapidly moved in and out trying desperately to take in much-needed air. How could he have done this to her? James rubbed a hand over his chest, for it began to tighten and ache. Now was the time to come clean and tell Abigale everything, for he knew he’d already lost her. He could see it in her eyes, he could feel it.

  “Not until ye drop the dirk.”

  Apprehensively, she lowered the bloodstained blade, yet her grip stayed tight.

  “I’m Dragonkine. I can shift into a dragon.” He paused. “I'm one of the seven Guardians of Scotland.” He didn’t know how much detail to tell. This wee bit of new information was a lot to comprehend.

  Her voice shook with fear. “Dragon. Is that why yer eyes changed?”

  “Aye.”

  “Why that’s impossible,” shaking her head, “dragons dinnae exist."

  Genuinely James said, “Ye saw my eyes lass. There’s much more to me than that.”

  “How? I dinnae understand.”

  James took a deep breath; she deserved the truth. “Aye Abigale, dragons have existed from the beginning of time. Dragons and humans coexisted until there came a time where balance was needed. Our Elders of long ago placed our Dragonkine ancestors here to keep balance between dragons and humans.”

  Her dark brows furrowed. “Then why aren’t there more of yer… kind?”

  James took a step closer and was relieved when Abigale didn’t move. “’Tis a long story, but our people were brutally massacred by King MacAlpin. Some would say oot of greed.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Some would say oot of hate. He showed mercy and saved seven of our warriors, but with it came a hefty price. We agreed to surrender our race to the kings of Scotland.”

  Abigale fell silent, yet listened intently.

  “The fact remains, Abigale, I’m an immortal. I will roam this Earth until someone takes my head. I’m dragon, a fierce beast that's full of hate. And I’m every bit human.”

  James took another step closer until he was standing right in front of her. He stroked her face with the back of his knuckles and looked deeply into her eyes. “I’ve tried to shelter ye from all this, Abigale, I swear it. But I can no any longer."

  Abigale dropped her dirk as she lost herself in his swirling amber depths. “An immortal? How old are ye?”

  James ran his fingers through her hair, picking away the dead leaves. “I’m the youngest out of the seven. I am as old as ye see me now, twenty and eight. I became Dragonkine when my da died.”

  “So ye are born Dragon… kine.”

  “Nay, we are chosen by Scottish kings and dragon elders. My da happened to be the strongest warrior Guardian so when he died I took his place.”

  “Does my father know,” Abigale paused and swallowed hard, “ye’re a dragon?”

  “Aye. I believe that’s why he wanted me to marry ye. To keep ye safe.” Up until this moment, James had never been so thankful and honored to be married to King Robert's daughter. If only he hadn’t been such a fool.

  ~~~~~

  Abigale’s head was spinning out of control. All the rumored tales of the Bogeyman were true. James was a monster, a beast… a dragon. She shook her head in disbelief. She had so many questions to ask, but couldn’t form a coherent thought. Dragonkine… Immortal. He was endless, time didn’t exist in his world. How… how was her future with James going to compare to her mortal life? He would watch her grow old as he stayed young.

  At that time a groan and heavy snort broke through Abigale’s thoughts. James and Abigale looked over at Fergus as he lay on the forest floor. Without hesitation, Abigale ran over to him and dropped to her knees. “Nay… Fergus, get up.”

  James crouched down and examined the fallen steed. It didn’t look good, not at all. His hind leg was mangled and twisted deep within a root. Having seen this happen many times, especially on the battlefield, James knew Fergus wasn’t going to make it. James continued his examination until he saw a sharp branch embedded in the stallion’s chest. Not a good sign.

  James stood and raked a hand down his face. “Abigale, I’m sorry, but Fergus isn’t going to make it.”

  “Nay, he’ll be fine once we get him back home.” Denial had set in, giving Abigale false hope. She couldn’t lose Fergus, nor was she going to leave the glen without her friend. He had to get up… he just had to.

  “I’m sorry lass, but if we remove that branch the stress alone will kill him.” James pointed to the bloody branch. “The only kind thing we can do for him is to put him out of his misery.”

  “Nay!” Abigale cried out. She sobbed uncontrollably as she ran her hands through Fergus’s white and gray mane. “No, Fergus.”

  She’d seen the blood. Heck, she’d even seen the branch protruding from his chest, but she refused to believe Fergus was dying. She noticed the labored breathing and that his eyes were wide, indicating he was in a tremendous amount of pain. He was indeed suffering.

  James crouched down by Abigale and took her tear-streaked face in his hands. With great compassion, he wiped a tear from her cheek. “Ye cannae let him suffer. Let me help him,” James pleaded with her.

  Her world stood still; sound muted, movement stilled, and Abigale went numb. His words were understood; Fe
rgus suffered, yet she couldn’t respond. She had to make the dreadful decision to end his misery and she had never felt so helpless. A surgeon mended wounds and healed the sick, but her expertise and experience couldn’t save her friend. Eight years was too short. He deserved more time. It wasn’t fair.

  Abigale nodded her head, accepting Fergus’s fate. She leaned over Fergus and whispered in his ear, “Be brave my friend. I’ll see ye soon." Abigale slowly stood, never taking her eyes off of her beloved. She began to walk toward a clearing in the forest just a few feet away, allowing James to do the honorable thing.

  As Abigale reached the clearing, every raw emotion she was holding back slammed into her like rushing waves crashing into sand; repeatedly, wave after wave pounded her as if she was stuck in a riptide trying to swim against its turbulent current. She could no longer tread the sea of sorrow and make it back to shore. Abigale broke down and fell to her knees wrapping her arms around her stomach. No matter how hard she hugged herself, she couldn't stop shaking. Tears streamed down her cheeks and disappeared as they hit the forest floor. “Why Fergus… why?” she sobbed.

  ~~~~~

  The sight of Abigale on her knees rocking back and forth, crying, was absolute torture. He wished he could take her pain away. He wished he’d stopped her before she ran out of Black Stone. Why was it that every time he was around, he caused her so much pain, when all he really wanted all along was to love her?

  James walked over to Abigale and placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. He wasn’t a man of many words and didn’t know what to say, but he wanted her to know he was here for her.

  “Dinnae touch me,” Abigale sneered. She stood and faced him. “Don’t ever touch me again.” Her blue eyes pierced him. “This is yer fault and I will never forgive ye.” Tiny fists pounded at his chest. His pectorals flinched, absorbing every blow as he allowed her to lash out her anger.

  “I mean it, James Douglas, I curse the day I ever set eyes on ye,” Abigale cried.

  James wrapped his massive arms around her. Giving her his strength was all he could do, for no words of wisdom or comfort could take the hurt away. He pulled her tight against his chest. She struggled against his hold but the more she fought, the tighter he held her. He would hold her until there was no fight left, until she wept her last tear.

  Before long, Abigale gave up and her body went limp in his arms. James picked her up and whistled for his mare. The black warhorse came at once. Once mounted, James sat behind Abigale cradling her across his lap as they left the glen to return to Black Stone. As soon as they were settled, he would send a group of men to retrieve Fergus and make sure he was given a proper burial.

  Chapter 17

  Without darkness your true light can not be tested.

  Off in the distance, dark graying clouds gathered high above, creeping across the light blue sky. The wind picked up and blew angry ripples across the deep blue water of the loch. James sat on a boulder looking toward the brewing storm slowly approaching. The wind blew again, but this time there was a slight chill in the air causing his skin to prickle. “I curse the day I met ye, James Douglas,” whispered through the breeze. He shifted his body and pulled his cloak up around his shoulders. Aye, a storm was coming.

  Back to the task at hand, he extended a black claw and began to carve into a piece of birch. He’d been here since the mist rose and would stay until the storm threatened to unleash its wrath.

  Two days had passed since that dreadful day, yet Abigale was still mourning the loss of Fergus. She refused to get out of bed, refused to eat, and refused everyone except Alice and Effie. Then again the girls were overly protective of her and didn’t allow visitors, though they couldn’t prevent the laird from sleeping outside her bedchamber door every night. James didn’t take no for an answer when it came to Abigale’s safety. If someone was out there wanting to harm his bel ange, they would have to go through him first.

  His cherished deerhound Lennox’s ears perked up, and she stood as if to alert him that someone was approaching. “Easy lassie,” James reassured her. He already knew who it was. Dragons knew their own kind.

  “I thought I’d see ye out here.” Conall bent down and patted Lennox on her head.

  “Aye, Conall, I was expecting ye.” James continued to whittle.

  Standing next to James with his arms crossed over his chest, he looked straight ahead at the deep blue loch. “She’s beautiful… isn’t she?”

  “Aye.”

  They stood in uncomfortable silence for a moment. Conall had something on his mind, yet he proceeded to take his time. Conall shifted his eyes to the ground and rocked back on his heels. “I come to ask for yer forgiveness, my Laird.”

  James creased his brows. “For what?”

  “For leaving ye on the trail alone. ‘Tis my fault ye were--”

  “Conall, I was an arse to ye. I dinnae blame ye for leaving.”

  Conall exhaled in relief. Most men would have found their heads on spikes for leaving their laird unprotected, but they had a different type of relationship. They were close like brothers and quite frankly James was the only one Conall truly trusted.

  Needing to know more about the attack on his friend, he took a deep breath and questioned him. “Do ye think the shooting and the raid were led by the same person?”

  “I dinnae know, but it seems to me someone wants my attention. I believe they raided the village looking for Abigale. It was not by luck. They knew she would be in the village.”

  “Have you talked with Magnus about the attacks?”

  “Aye, he feels that there’s a change in the atmosphere and the Earth has become unbalanced.” James struck his claw against the birch in aggravation. "And there’s a weed in the garden that needs to be pulled.”

  Conall smirked and shook his head. “I really wish the old man didnae speak in riddles.”

  “He’s requesting an audience with the dragon elders.”

  “How is he going to do that?” Conall questioned.

  James looked up from his carving and asked himself the same question. This would not be an easy task. It would require Magnus to travel to a realm beyond their world. A realm where dragons ruled. Knowing the dangers that lay ahead, James knew that there was more to it than just an attack. Indeed the Earth was beginning to shift. “I dunno my friend, but Magnus can be verra convincing."

  “A traitor,” Conall growled.

  “Aye.”

  “Why betray your own kind?” Conall shook his head in disgust. Loyalty was something dragons took very seriously. Loyalty meant you were family, and family didn’t turn to the enemy side and live to tell the tale.

  Blowing the birch dust away from his creation, James paused and looked over the loch as if he was searching for answers. “We are all made of greed, Conall. No matter how much power, coin, or battles won we’ll always want more.”

  “James, ye make us sound like English filth. We are nothing like them.”

  “And how so?”

  “We protect our Scotland and they want to destroy her. As long as I have my head attached and a breath in my body I will fight to defend her.”

  “I once believed that too, my friend, but too much innocent blood has been spilled.” A thought of Abigale, who was innocent, came to mind. She was born into danger just because of who her father was, and now because of him, she was in more danger. He was betting his life on it, someone knew he was a dragon, and what better way to kill a dragon than to steal his mate, or even worst kill his mate?

  “Have ye been to see Abigale?”

  Conall had to ask, didn’t he? A black claw scraped against the wood as James continued to carve. “Nay, Alice and Effie have made it perfectly clear that Abigale is in no mood to be graced by my presence.” He said it half jesting.

  Conall chuckled. “Och, why don’t ye let me take care of the lassies?” He devilishly winked.

  For some reason James knew there was more to it than just distracting the girls so he could see Abigale. T
here was a bonny, free spirited redhead that had his attention.

  “Conall, yer a good man. I’ll be back to Black Stone shortly.”

  With that being said, Conall nodded his head and turned on his heel, but before he left, he turned back around to his friend. “I’ve had my share of darkness, but I chose to open the door and let the light shine in.” With nothing more spoken, he hopped up on his chestnut mount and headed back to Black Stone with a special woman on his mind.

  James watched Conall as he rode off. Pondering his words of wisdom for a moment, he wondered if it was too late for him. He’d unlocked his door, even if it was only a crack. Now it was Abigale who was shutting the door. He never meant to hurt her, but here he was trying to gather up his courage to ask for her forgiveness. For the first time in his life he realized just how out of control he'd become. Conall was right; he needed Abigale. She calmed him in ways that he had a hard time explaining. She was comfort to his despair and had rekindled his light. No more did he want to live with the darkness inside of him. He wanted to be the man… the dragon she deserved.

  On the other hand, he knew he had to let her go, if she wanted to leave. Frankly, why would she want to stay after what he’d put her through? Aye, she deserved better. There was one last chance to make it right, then whatever the outcome, maybe he would accept it and move on.

  Retracting his black claw back into his fingertip, James held the carving up toward the last bit of remaining sun before the rain fell. He examined his work; nice smooth edges and intricate details were whittled to perfection. He slipped the tiny treasure into the inner pocket of his jerkin. James stood up and walked to his black mare as Lennox followed right behind him. It was time he faced Abigale, whether she wanted to see him or not.

  Chapter 18

  When playing with a fire dragon; be prepared to feel the burn.

  James paced outside of Abigale’s bedchamber practicing over and over in his head what he was going to say to her. On his way back to Black Stone, he’d thought about how Abigale was going to react to him. He ran through worst and best case scenarios, yet it was the former one that he dreaded the most.